After a controversial government circular instructed scientists in the state not to visit the areas affected by the disastrous landslides and not to speak to the media, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that his government has no such policy. The Chief Minister has also directed the Chief Secretary to intervene in the matter and withdraw the instruction issued by the concerned officials. A communication from the Chief Secretary Dr Venu V confirmed later that the circular has been withdrawn with immediate effect.

Earlier in the day, a circular from Tinku Biswal IAS, Principal Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management and Housing Department, went viral on social media followed by huge backlash.

“You are requested to direct all Science and Technology institutions in the State of Kerala not to undertake any field visits to Meppadi Panchayath, Wayanad which is notified as a disaster affected area. The scientific community shall be directed to restrain themselves from sharing their opinions and study reports to media,” the circular addressed to Prof KP Sudheer, Principal Secretary, Science and Technology Department said.

The circular also said prior permission should be obtained from Kerala State Disaster Management Authority if any study is to be undertaken in the disaster affected area.

This ‘gag order’ went viral and now government has come up a statement on this.

Atrocious order from the Kerala govt. Scientific community should not speak. #WayanadLandslide pic.twitter.com/6p3zWoN1J3

— Rajesh Abraham🇮🇳 (@pendown) August 1, 2024

മാധ്യമങ്ങളോട് സംസാരിക്കരുത് എന്ന് ശാസ്ത്രഞ്ജമാരോട് സർക്കാർ ഉത്തരവ് ! ഞാൻ ഉത്തര കൊറിയയിൽ ആണോ ദാസാ ? pic.twitter.com/NbZEv8rbxM

— Rejimon Kuttappan (@rejitweets) August 1, 2024

The Kerala govt. has ordered scientists not to share opinion to the media regarding wayanad landslide!@pinarayivijayan@CPIMKerala@INCKerala
Has the right to expression been removed from the Constitution? We fought to protect the Constitution, didn’t we?#WayanadLanslide pic.twitter.com/r1uWPmO1ln

— Sreelakshmi Soman (@Sree_soman) August 1, 2024

“The news about State Disaster Management Authority giving instructions to scientific institutions and scientists to not to visit Meppadi Grama Panchayat in Wayanad and not to comment on it is misleading. The state government does not have such a policy. The Chief Secretary has been directed to intervene for withdrawing the misleading communication by the concerned official’,” a press communication from Kerala Chief Minister said.

After the Chief Minister’s intervention, Chief Secretary Dr Venu V Chief Secretary has also come up with a statement.

He said a note was issued by the Principal Secretary, Disaster Management to the Principal Secretary, Science and Technology, regarding exercising restraint in expressing opinions related to the landslide in Wayanad.

He added that the advisory was not issued with an intent to restrain the scientific community of the state from conducting studies and providing insights. “The objective was to discourage statements and opinions by persons belonging to scientific institutions of the state, that may be misinterpreted or misquoted to create panic and confusion among the public, particularly during this sensitive time. Although these are exceptions, a few such instances have come to light in the last two days,” he said.

“We believe that there is great importance for scientific studies that can throw light on the challenges faced by the state in the context of climate change, and new knowledge can add to our understanding and shape our strategies. At the same time, in the aftermath of a tragedy of this intensity, it is important that the immediate focus on rescue, recovery and rehabilitation is not lost and that widespread panic and paranoia are not generated on account of misinterpretation of statements or opinions made, detracting from the humanitarian work at hand. As the note does not convey this accurately, it is being withdrawn with immediate effect,” he said.